§ 3.22 p.m.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The reason for this Motion is that the British Railways (No. 2) Bill urgently needs the Royal Assent before the Christmas Recess. That cannot be achieved unless the Bill is returned to the other place today. Standing Order 147 requires that no Bill which has been amended in Committee may be read a third time unless the amended Bill has been lodged in government departments three clear days before Third Reading. Since the Bill was only in Committee yesterday, I seek your Lordships' agreement to dispense with Standing Order 147 so that the Bill may be given a Third Reading today. I beg to move.
Moved, That Private Business Standing Order 147 (Bill as amended in Committee to be deposited at Public Departments) be dispensed with to enable the British Railways (No. 2) Bill to be read a third time this day.—(The Chairman of Committees.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.